I'm glad I took the Challenge

Most people agreed it was a larger crowd than expected that packed the Shawnee Inn for the first Pocono Cupcake Challenge on Sunday. Some people said this was the most people they've seen there.

Stephanie Conklin

Most people agreed it was a larger crowd than expected that packed the Shawnee Inn for the first Pocono Cupcake Challenge on Sunday. Some people said this was the most people they've seen there.

Shortly after 1 p.m, you could barely move in the ballroom as guests circled the room before making choices. I never tired of repeating myself: "The Indian Corn is a butter cupcake with caramel icing and Jelly Belly Jelly Beans; the mums are a pumpkin pie cupcake with marshmallows on top, and the caramel apples are an apple cider cupcake with caramel icing."

The event was to end at 4 p.m. or until we ran out of cupcakes but only a couple of vendors ran out. I still got tickets at 4 p.m.

The Shawnee Inn did a fantastic job. I would have liked to see maybe three levels for entries: professional, amateur and kids. It wasn't fair for everyone to compete at the same skill level. Some displays were over the top and some were simple.

I shopped and baked the entire day before, and my daughter and her friend and my husband helped. It was fun and for the United Way, so I'm proud to be a part of it.